19 March 2010

Alert

Editor granted presidential pardon, released from prison


Incident details

Charges dismissed, Release

Ganimat Zahid , Editor
(IRFS/IFEX) - On 18 March 2010, "Azadlig" newspaper's editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahid was released from the Penitentiary Service's treatment facility. The editor-in-chief told the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) that he will begin working after he receives treatment. If necessary, he will begin working right away. However, Zahid will come to a decision after he talks to "Azadlig" newspaper staff.

Zahid was convicted under articles 127.2.3 (hooliganism with intentional infliction of minor bodily harm) and 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code and sentenced to four years in prison.

On 17 March, Zahid was pardoned under a pardon decree signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"Azadlig" newspaper has been published since 1989 and operates as daily newspaper.



Source:

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
8 R. Behbudov St., Apt. 85/86
Baku
Azerbaijan
irfs.az (@) gmail.com
Phone: +99 412 418 0334/+99 450 398 4838
 

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From other IFEX members

Opposition newspaper editor freed on president's orders (RSF)
Azerbaijani editor Zakhidov freed; three journalists still jailed (CPJ)

More on this case

Journalist denied release for refusing to play volleyball in prison 28 September 2009 Supreme Court upholds decision regarding imprisoned journalist's manuscript 2 September 2009 Prison authorities confiscate book manuscript written by imprisoned editor 11 June 2008 Appellate court upholds four-year prison sentence for editor in "politically ordered" decision, says IRFS 15 May 2008 "Azadlig" newspaper editor-in-chief sentenced at secret hearing to four years in prison for alleged "hooliganism" 7 March 2008 Prosecutor requests five-year sentence for detained editor of leading opposition newspaper 20 February 2008 Detained journalist risks up to six years' imprisonment if charged, says CPJ 14 November 2007 Editor assaulted, detained pending trial for "causing minor bodily harm" and "hooliganism"; distribution of "Khural" newspaper prevented 12 November 2007

Azerbaijan

Newspapers fined for "damaging honour" of businessman 24 January 2012 Youth activist's appeal rejected 29 December 2011 Jabbar Savalanli released under pardon decree 29 December 2011 Journalists assaulted while covering president's birthday celebration 29 December 2011 Editor of "Yeni Musavat" receives death threats for republishing article 22 December 2011 See all alerts: Azerbaijan


 
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